Chapter 02: Mental Health and Mental Illness

An 86-year-old, previously healthy and independent, falls after an episode of vertigo. Which behavior by this patient best demonstrates resilience? The patient:

says, "Maybe some physical therapy will help me with my balance."

A patient is admitted to the psychiatric hospital. Which assessment finding best indicates that the patient has a mental illness? The patient:

describes mood as consistently sad, discouraged, and hopeless.

The goal for a patient is to increase resiliency. Which outcome should a nurse add to the plan of care? Within 3 days, the patient will:

identify healthy coping behaviors in response to stressful events.

Which organization actively seeks to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness through public presentations such as In Our Own Voice (IOOV)?

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

A nurse must assess several new patients at a community mental health center. Conclusions concerning current functioning should be made on the basis of:

a continuum from mentally healthy to unhealthy.

A nurse at a behavioral health clinic sees an unfamiliar psychiatric diagnosis on a patient's insurance form. Which resource should the nurse consult to discern the criteria used to establish this diagnosis?

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)

A 40-year-old adult living with parents states, "I'm happy but I don't socialize much. My work is routine. When new things come up, my boss explains them a few times to make sure I understand. At home, my parents make decisions for me, and I go along with them." A nurse should identify interventions to improve this patient's:

self-concept.

A patient tells a nurse, "I have psychiatric problems and am in and out of hospitals all the time. Not one of my friends or relatives has these problems." Select the nurse's best response.

"It sounds like you are concerned that others don't experience the same challenges as you."

A critical care nurse asks a psychiatric nurse about the difference between a diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and a nursing diagnosis. Select the psychiatric nurse's best response.

"The DSM-5 diagnosis influences the medical treatment; the nursing diagnosis offers a framework to identify interventions for problems a patient has or may experience."

The spouse of a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia says, "I don't understand why childhood experiences have anything to do with this disabling illness." Select the nurse's response that will best help the spouse understand this condition.

"Although this disorder more likely has a biological rather than psychological origin, the support and involvement of caregivers is very important."

Which belief by a nurse supports the highest degree of patient advocacy during a multidisciplinary patient care planning session?

Some symptoms of mental disorders may reflect a person's cultural patterns.

A patient's history shows intense and unstable relationships with others. The patient initially idealizes an individual and then devalues the person when the patient's needs are not met. Which aspect of mental health is a problem?

Fulfilling relationships

In the majority culture of the United States, which individual is at greatest risk to be incorrectly labeled mentally ill?

Person who attends a charismatic church and describes hearing God's voice

A participant at a community education conference asks, "What is the most prevalent type of mental disorder in the United States?" Select the nurse's best response.

Anxiety disorders

A nurse wants to find a description of diagnostic criteria for a person diagnosed with schizophrenia. Which resource should the nurse consult?

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)

A patient in the emergency department reports, "I hear voices saying someone is stalking me. They want to kill me because I found the cure for cancer. I will stab anyone that threatens me." Which aspects of mental health have the greatest immediate concern to a nurse? (Select all that apply)

• Appraisal of reality

Control over behavior

Healthy self-concept

Which statements most clearly reflect the stigma of mental illness? (Select all that apply)

People claim mental illness so they can get disability checks.

Ifpeople with mental illness went to church, they would be fine.

Mental illness is a result of the breakdown of the American family.